Anthony Cottman, age 32 of Norman, has been charged with one count of battery in the second degree, a class D felony, in relation to an alleged physical altercation that took place in Mount Ida, Thursday, April 2.
According to documents filed at the Montgomery County Clerk’s Office and obtained through AOC Courtconnect online, Cottman was involved in an altercation with Paul Riley Thew, age 34 of Mount Ida.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike May stated in an incident report that he responded to a Mount Ida residence about a man who had been hit and was unresponsive. The report states that he located Thew in a vehicle driven by Billy Brotherton. The report states that Brotherton told Deputy May that Riley had been hit at a different location.
First responders were on hand to tend to Thew. An ambulance arrived and Thew was stabilized before being air lifted to CHI St. Vincent. The investigation into the incident led MCSO deputies to Norman where they made contact with Cottman. Cottman alleged that he struck Thew after Thew and another person had approached him in a threatening manner. At this time he was placed under arrest.
Eyewitnesses alleged that there had been a verbal altercation at a local business before the physical altercation took place. May’s incident report states that Cottman alleged that he hit Thew in the face after Thew charged at him. He also alleges that he tried to catch Thew when he fell, but was unable to do so.
All persons involved are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.